The role of social workers in promoting environmental justice at the Tshwane Metro

Abstract

The goal of this study was to explore the role of social workers in promoting environmental justice at the Tshwane Metro. A qualitative research approach was adopted to obtain information on the experiences of the participants from their point of view. Using an instrumental case study design, data was collected by means of semi-structured interviews from 13 social workers employed by the Department of Social Development’s Tshwane region in the Temba, Pretoria CBD, Bronkhorstspruit/Ekangala, Garankuwa, and Mamelodi service points. The findings of the study revealed that a number of environmental issues existed in the Tshwane Metro such as air pollution, sewage pipe leakages, overpopulation, littering and flooding. All community members were affected by the existence of these environmental issues; however those that were poor and vulnerable were mostly affected. The findings also suggested that the social workers who were participants in the study had an understanding of what environmental justice entails and in addition played three critical roles (advocacy, broker and educator) in their communities that are in line with promoting environmental justice. The findings also highlighted that although there were a number of services that were rendered by participants in line with promoting environmental justice; these services were conducted on a minimal scale. The participants mentioned that they needed to be empowered further on ways to promote environmental justice through the social development approach. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that environmental issues exist in the five communities of the Tshwane Metro where the participants were deployed and this impact negatively on people’s lives making it necessary to promote environmental justice. It can be concluded also that the social workers do not have enough knowledge on how to promote environmental justice using the social development approach. Social workers have a significant role to play in promoting environmental justice in the communities they work in. It is therefore recommended that there is a need to develop a programme in the Department of Social Development on promoting environmental justice; include environmental education as part of the social work curriculum. This will help social workers to increase public awareness on the impacts of environmental change and how to preserve the environment.